Waterford FC continued their impressive resurgence with a deserved victory over second-placed St Patrick’s Athletic at Richmond Park as goals from Jorgen Voilas and John Mahon sealed another memorable night for Graham Coughlan’s side.
The Blues arrived in Dublin in confident mood and produced one of their most complete performances of the campaign, combining defensive resilience with a constant threat in attack to secure three valuable points. Their organisation, energy and commitment were evident throughout as they frustrated Stephen Kenny’s side before striking twice in the second half.
St Patrick’s made the brighter start and threatened within six minutes when Aidan Keena drove into space on the right and fired a dangerous ball across the face of goal, but Anthony Olusanya was unable to make contact.
Waterford almost responded immediately. Padraig Amond picked out Tommy Lonergan with a clever pass and the league’s leading scorer got away a low effort that forced Joseph Anang into an early save.
The home side enjoyed plenty of possession during the opening quarter, but Waterford defended with determination and discipline. Stephen McMullan was called into action after 20 minutes when Zach Elbouzedi’s cross was only partially cleared into the path of Luke Turner. The defender struck a powerful effort from distance which took a deflection, but the Waterford goalkeeper reacted superbly to keep it out.
The visitors gradually settled into the contest and began to ask questions of the Saints defence. Jordan Houston did well to keep an attack alive before finding Voilas, who switched the play to Lonergan on the left. The striker’s effort took a slight deflection and drifted narrowly wide of the far post.
Waterford then created a dangerous spell from a series of corners. Benny Couto’s deliveries caused problems inside the six-yard box and John Mahon came close to turning one into the net, only for Anang to do enough to prevent the breakthrough.
The Blues threatened again on the half-hour mark. Voilas showed good awareness to release Conan Noonan on the left and his cross found Evan McLaughlin arriving at the back post, but the midfielder could only direct his effort into Anang’s hands.
At the other end, St Patrick’s fashioned a chance when Anto Breslin delivered from the left for Darragh Nugent, but the midfielder failed to connect cleanly with his header and McMullan gathered comfortably.
McMullan was required again before the break, producing an excellent save to turn Olusanya’s low strike around the post as Waterford reached half-time level despite sustained spells of home pressure.
The visitors came within inches of taking the lead almost immediately after the restart. Just 15 seconds into the second half, Houston’s precise pass released Lonergan behind the Saints defence. With Anang beaten, the striker looked certain to score, only to see his effort crash off the underside of the crossbar and bounce away.
It proved to be a warning St Patrick’s failed to heed.
Ten minutes later Waterford grabbed the lead. Lonergan showed tremendous determination on the left flank to win possession from Elbouzedi before driving to the byline and delivering a low cross into the danger area. Voilas timed his run perfectly and stabbed a first-time finish beyond Anang from close range.
The goal lifted Waterford and they continued to carry a threat on the counter-attack, while St Patrick’s struggled to find a way through a well-drilled visiting defence.
The Saints almost equalised on 67 minutes when Turner unleashed a goal-bound effort from the edge of the area, but Houston produced a vital block to divert the ball wide.
Waterford’s response was immediate. Voilas teed up Lonergan for a shooting opportunity that took a deflection wide, before the striker sent another effort just over the crossbar as the visitors chased a decisive second goal.
It arrived with 15 minutes remaining. Couto delivered a superb corner from the right and Mahon rose highest inside the six-yard box to plant a powerful header beyond Anang and spark jubilant celebrations among the travelling support.
Ryan Edmondson missed a glorious chance to pull one back late on when he guided Elbouzedi’s inviting delivery wide of an open goal, while Voilas nearly added a third in stoppage time.
There was to be no late drama, however, as Waterford comfortably saw out the closing stages to claim a fully deserved victory and continue their outstanding recent run of form.
ST PATRICK’S ATHLETIC: Anang; Redmond, Hoare, Turner (McClelland 78); Elbouzedi, Forrester (Rooney 78), Lennon, Nugent (Sheridan 59), Breslin (Brown 59); Olusanya, Keena (Edmondson 66).
WATERFORD FC: McMullan; Houston (Cann 79), Mahon, Long, Couto; Voilas, Mawene (McMenamy 89), McLaughlin (Heeney 89), Noonan; Amond, Lonergan.
Referee: Paul McLaughlin.
Attendance: 3,965.
